On all models of our controllers and cabinets in Mode 1 the controls act like a keyboard, each direction and button press corresponds to a keyboard key. We created the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program to be the easiest way to diagnose if your buttons and joysticks (microswitches) are working properly. But it's also the simplest way to verify proper connection to the PC, as well as verifying that it is ready for MAME™. Even if you are having a problem on a game console, this test will help determine if it is a problem with the controller itself vs. a console X-Adapter or cable. This program should be your first step to diagnosing any problems.


NOTE: In MODE 1 the X-Arcade works just like a keyboard (the trackball as a mouse), it doesn't do anything mystical that a keyboard and mouse doesn't on a PC. Anything that happens while using our controller would also happen if you hit the same corresponding keys on your keyboard or mouse. It does nothing more than that. For all intents and purposes it's just a keyboard with buttons and joystick directions instead of letters. If all of the buttons and joystick directions work properly in the test program, your X-Arcade™ hardware is working properly!

PREPARE FOR TEST:   
  • IMPORTANT: The light on the X-Arcade™ signifies it is getting power, if the light is not lit on the X-Arcade™ it will not work! (click here to troubleshoot no light)
  • Be sure you are plugging into a USB port directly on the back of the PC (not in the front, not in a USB Hub, not with an extension cable, not in a box with a fox). 
  • Make sure you don't have any software running that might be making inputs not work, such as macro programs like X-Hotkeys.
  • Run the test in MODE 1; move the switch on the back of the X-Arcade™ to Mode1 (pics - the position closest to the serial connector, or yellow wire on the switch itself), then push the button on the back of the X-Arcade™ twice (the light on the X-Arcade™ should turn off from the first push, and back on with the second). 
  • International users must set their keyboard to US101 or the inputs won't match up. 
  • For the Tri-Mode PCB only you can also test modes 3 and 4. see the TESTING section here. 
  • If you have problems getting the test program to work there are alternative ways to test further down on this page.


TANKSTICK/TRACKBALL NOTE: 2x connections are required for the Tankstick to fully work (the electronics for both connections are completely separate inside the controller and either or both can be connected independently of the other): 

  • The serial-USB connection with a purple PS/2 end on it makes the Light on the controller work, and makes the buttons and joysticks work. Use the below test program to test this.
  • The permanently attached USB cable with a green PS/2 end on it is for the trackball and 3 trackball buttons only, the Trackball and 3 trackball buttons do not get tested in the X-Arcade Test Program! There are 2 sets of pinball buttons on the Tankstick, the two pinball buttons furthest from you are mouse buttons that won't show up in the test program. The back-left is mouse left-click (MB1), the back-right is right-click (MB2). If you have a red-lit exit game button it is middle-click (MB3). You can test if they are working by simply moving your cursor on screen and mouse-clicking with the buttons.. 


TEST OPTION 1 - USING THE X-ARCADE TEST PROGRAM: 

  1. Click here to download our test program! (Requires Java™.) NOTE: Cabinet owners will find the test program already on the desktop. 

  2. Extract the .jar file from the Zip file. and open it with Java (be sure not to open the .jar file with an extraction program such as WinZip or WinRar).
  3. Run the test in Mode 1 to see the pictured X-Arcade™ respond to your button presses and joystick movements. Test up/down/left/right on both joysticks, and test every button one at a time. 


TEST RESULTS: 

 

TEST OPTION 2 - ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO TEST (on any O/S):

Try some of these online browser-based keyboard tests:

KeyboardTester.com

en.key-test.ru


You can also simply use a word editor such as notepad to test that the X-Arcade™ types the functions shown on the default Mode1 button layout. Note that some of the buttons are set to CRTL, ALT, and SHIFT, these buttons will not type anything.


MAC ONLY: If you have a Mac, you can use Keyboard Viewer (or KeyCaps pre-OSX)  to test that the X-Arcade™ types the functions shown on the default Mode1 button layout.